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T O P I C R E V I E W

hoorenz

The Russian EVA-33 (VKD-33) patch. Yurchikhin is wearing the red version, Misurkin the blue one. The design was based on Pavel Vinogradov's Expedition 36 artwork.

In addition to these patches, the spacewalkers also have the Tereshkova replica with them, attached to the lid of the pressurized container they are taking to their worksite.

Marwin2

Have you a single hi-res images of patches please?

Jacques van Oene

These patches are available for sale, only as a set, red and blue. I have 20 sets for collectors.

hoorenz

Almost time again (tomorrow, August 16) for a little spacewalk!

And here is a small reminder of how these patches came to be.

hoorenz

And here are today's VKD-35 patches.

Ronpur

When did they start using EVA patches? I love the design, and do they just change the number each time? Besides names if needed.

hoorenz

This started with Expedition-11, when Krikalev and Phillips were wearing red and blue EVA patches made by Alex Panchenko. Probably, part of the reason why that patch was produced, was that Alex saw there was a market for this. Consequent Expeditions also had EVA-patches made (Expeditions-13 and 14) but these were not worn during the actual spacewalks.

It was Yurchikhin (a patch collector himself) during Expedition-15 who, together with Kotov, started wearing these again. Those patches, again produced with the help of Alex Panchenko, were based on the official artwork of the Expedition-15 patch (desgined by Yurchikhin) and had the names of the two spacewalkers and the EVA (VKD in Russian) number.

Soon thereafter, the patches for the cosmonauts became official Roscosmos business (up to then, they were private initiatives) and EVA patches were no longer produced. It was only when Yurchikhin flew again on Expedition-24/25, that at his personal request, these were produced again (this time by Spacepatches.nl, based on the art of the ISS-24 and ISS-25 insignia).

It is no coincidence now that Yurchikhin flies for the fourth time, these patches appear again. He had a VKD-32 patch made as a gift for Vinogradov and Romanenko (based on the official Expedition-35 design) as well as three patches for his own spacewalks (VKD-33, 34 and 35) with Misurkin (all based on the Russian version of the Expedition-36 logo).

So, this is now mostly related to Yurchikhin's personal love for patches and by no means a tradition. I think that soon (although there may be some exceptions) we will see empty spots on the shoulders of the Orlan suits again...

Ronpur

Thank you!! I never realized a cosmonaut was one of us collectors!

Is Spacepathces.nl selling these?

hoorenz

Yes, Jacques will have a limited number of each (20 or so) for collectors. Not to make a profit, but to help finance the single batch that was produced.